---
title: "16 Handles Debuts New Store Prototype in Naples, Florida"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/e4e23409-f7d2-4510-9c6f-23bab2b74998
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20230615_16_handles_debuts_new_store_prototype_in_naples_florida.html
category: "Specialty retail"
industry: "Retail"
segment: "Specialty retail"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit","Operations"]
published: 2023-06-15T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:08:43.242Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1524749292158-7540c2494485?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# 16 Handles Debuts New Store Prototype in Naples, Florida

**TL;DR:** 16 Handles has opened its first new store prototype in Naples, Florida, marking the brand's expansion outside of the New York market. The store is owned and operated by local franchisees Alex Nicholas and Jib Reagan.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-06-15. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20230615_16_handles_debuts_new_store_prototype_in_naples_florida.html).*

## Story

16 Handles in Naples is owned and operated by local franchisees Alex Nicholas and Jib Reagan. Nicholas, who also owns a fitness franchise brand, wanted to bring the iconic NYC dessert destination to Florida. “I am a big believer in 16 Handles from my time living in New York City. I am thrilled to bring the cool vibe of this brand to Naples,” said Nicholas.

The grand opening May 13 featured a meet and greet with co-owner and celebrity YouTube star Danny Duncan, along with the brand’s CEO Neil Hershman. There were estimated to be more than 500 people in attendance for the celebratory ribbon cutting, with traffic continuing through the late evening.

16 Handles’ new store design features a first in-class modular topping bar, which allows more flexibility for operators while maintaining the seemingly endless amounts of topping options guests enjoy. New soft serve machines save electricity and allow franchisees to offer a more consistent product with less labor. The store design also features a new look and feel, highlighting the brand’s colors and new signature slogan, “Choose Wildly.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of 16 Handles in Naples,” said Hershman. “It is exciting to show our customers and franchisees our commitment to innovation.”

16 Handles has a modern store design, an exclusive and addictive product lineup, and an unparalleled customer experience. The menu features 16 different soft serve flavors, 50+ toppings and sauces, as well as a variety of frozen novelties such as cakes, take-home pints, and D? gourmet edible cookie dough.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Retail (sector)
- franchisees (topic)
- market expansion (topic)
- Naples, Florida (location)
- 16 Handles (company)
- Neil Hershman (person)
- store prototype (topic)
- new store design (topic)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20230615_16_handles_debuts_new_store_prototype_in_naples_florida.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/e4e23409-f7d2-4510-9c6f-23bab2b74998).